Jindal grants 21 pardons in final days in office

NEW ORLEANS - As he nears the end of his term, Gov. Bobby Jindal has approved clemency for 21 people convicted of crimes in Louisiana.

Jindal's office said the clemency approvals include 20 pardons and one sentence cut.

Jindal's office said Wednesday that brings the number granted clemency during his two terms in office to 83. Statistics released by the governor's office said former Gov. Kathleen Blanco granted 285 during her one term. Former Gov. Mike Foster granted 455 during his two terms.

Jindal spokesman Mike Reed confirmed that the sentence cut is for Harrison Cage, convicted in 1993 of second-degree murder for a stabbing death. Cage has been serving as a butler at the Governor's mansion. The clemency makes him eligible for parole.